Song of Ancient Lovers by Laura Restrepo

 Song of Ancient Lovers brings the story of Bos Mutoes, who as a young boy became fascinated with Queen Sheba, and for his dissertation picks the subject of Queen Sheba. His obsession takes him from his homeland of South America to Africa where he meets Zahra Bayda, a trained midwife, who volunteers to show him around.

As he persists with his research, unveiling the strength of Queen Sheba who retained her independence over King Solomon, he recognizes the same strength with women in the refugee camps. Women who undertake perilous journey with their children, risking their lives, in search of that one door that opens for them – to study, learn, work, and experience things. They’re hungry for knowledge, just like their ancestor the Queen of Sheba who crossed the deserts to test King Solomon’s wisdom.

Bos Mutoes tries to unravel the women’s strength and certainty and why they feel such strong connection to their origins. It leads him to see that those dispossessed and exiled women find dignity in their glorious past because that gives them strength to confront their bleak feature. Otherwise, they would have no reason or purpose to life.

It is a fascinating story, painful at times to read, exposing extraordinary strength of women and what they would do for their children to have a better future.

The prose is eloquent, at times very wordy, giving the story a slower pace. I believe this story will resonate with the readers who are looking for outstanding prose, who don’t mind the slower pace in order to appreciate the elaborate prose.

Published in December 2025 by HarperVia

Source: HarperVia